Monday 24th December 2007

In the morning Kathryn made a cake as today is Max’s birthday and we are heading down to Akanyijuka in the afternoon to celebrate. For lunch though we headed down to the drop-in centre to join in on the Christmas celebrations there.  We cruised down at 11 am and had a little running around to help set up, but mostly enjoyed the morning playing with the children and giving out sweets before lunch.  Lunch was a little late, but it was amazing that the boys, being street children, managed to sit around for at least 3 hours without any complaining or such.  Can’t imagine about 30 teenagers back home being so well behaved, it is a testimony of what a great job the Wards and Pastor Edward have done.  To add to my views, a lady came in off the street just to say what a difference she had noticed in the behaviour of the street children in Kabale, she said that they have changed over the last few months.

Lunch was surprisingly nice, Kathryn does not get to come to the drop-in much because I usually go when she is at school, but it was good to see her getting in and helping out with serving.  After lunch there was cake, and then they lined up and one by one gave them clothes and a mars bar to send them off with Christmas greetings.  To see their reactions after getting a pair of pants and a shirt (from the second hand markets, costing a couple of dollars each) was a good experience for me, I had to fight to keep the emotions inside.  I miss being at home with friends and family at this time, but being here and being involved with Saturday’s and today’s parties for children that had or have nothing is the best experience I have ever had at Christmas time.  Here are some general photos from the day (click on photos to see a larger picture):

   

  

  

 

Here are some photos of the volunteers and workers for the day:

  

  

 

Here are three photos of a boy named Giligie??, one before his present, and two after receiving them:

  

After the drop-in party we went home and headed out to Akanyijuka for Max’s birthday.  I think because they are not used to celebrating birthdays they are always nervous when it is their birthday, but they all enjoy singing and eating cake though.  Here is the birthday boy: